Keywords: Remote Screening, Hypertension, CKD, Rural Health

Background:

Hypertension stands as a primary contributor to chronic kidney disease (CKD), which is identified as the 10th leading cause of death worldwide. Notably, approximately 1 million individuals remain undiagnosed. Screening rates among at-risk hypertensive populations are often insufficient, which impedes the timely detection of this condition. The implementation of remote clinical testing presents a viable solution to enhance access to healthcare and improve detection rates of chronic kidney disease (CKD) among these patients.

Aim of the case report:

This case series aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a remote diagnostic service in identifying chronic kidney disease (CKD) early among patients with hypertension residing in a rural community.

Case report:

A total of 507 patients participated in the remote testing initiative, achieving an impressive 71% completion rate. The findings indicated that 75% of the patients had normal ACR results, while 86 individuals exhibited abnormal ACR levels, suggesting a potential risk for chronic kidney disease (CKD). Feedback from patients was positive, with over 90% (n = 94) stating that the test was “very easy” to perform. Furthermore, 78% of patients expressed a preference for at-home testing over traditional clinic visits

Conclusions:

Adopting a remote clinical testing approach for CKD detection in patients with hypertension proves to be an effective and accessible solution, especially for rural communities. The use of at-home urinary ACR testing kits, paired with a smartphone application, provides a convenient and user-friendly method for early CKD detection. Patient satisfaction and preference for at-home testing suggest that this model could improve healthcare access and outcomes for individuals in underserved areas.